The Empire has astromechs is all the movies, don't think this one will make any difference. Game vise I hope not, I like there is some distinctions between the factions.

Yeah the empire values it's mechs too much to risk them in vulnerable ties.

1 hour ago, TylerTT said:

Yeah the empire values it's mechs too much to risk them in vulnerable ties.

The rebels and Scum need astros to keep their ships from falling apart while in flight. Imps do proper maintenance and have superior vehicles so their droids get to do their job in the hanger and not in the cold vacuum where Sith Lords can shoot them.

5 hours ago, GrimmyV said:

What? Astromech droids doing mechanical upkeep on starfighters? Next thing you'll tell me that protocol droids were made to facilitate social interactions like human-cyborg relations and peace negotiations.

You must be very proud of yourself. It's cool. I'm no stranger to egotism. Slow clap for your sarcasm.

At face value I was stating the obvious. I'm glad you caught that, but your glib post suggests you missed the point. Emphasizing the content of the Databank entry draws contrast between the obvious and what isn't in BB-9E's job description: in-flight assist aboard a fighter.

1 hour ago, jmswood said:

You must be very proud of yourself. It's cool. I'm no stranger to egotism. Slow clap for your sarcasm.

At face value I was stating the obvious. I'm glad you caught that, but your glib post suggests you missed the point. Emphasizing the content of the Databank entry draws contrast between the obvious and what isn't in BB-9E's job description: in-flight assist aboard a fighter.

Sorry for the sarcasm, my wife is put off by that as well. Didn't mean to touch a nerve.

the database entry is pretty sparse, but it does imply the FO uses standard BB units differing only in their gleaming black facade. And since we know at least one BB unit that does facilitate inflight operations...

More realistically, imperials could make use of their tech slots for astromechs? They're the only faction with more than one ship with them as is anyways (/FO, /SF, Upsilon, and presumably the /VN will have it too). So you could either just make them imperial-only tech upgrades or make a tech card that lets you use astromechs or something.

*Waiting for Triple-Zero and BeeTee intensifies*

Have we seriously not yet committed to calling it "Darth Ball"?

Faction differentiation aside, I wouldn't mind seeing some imperial Astro's as crew... Or even as Tech (clever suggestion, but if done exclusively that way non-FO miss out)

2 hours ago, ABXY said:

Or even as Tech (clever suggestion, but if done exclusively that way non-FO miss out)

That would make sense, though; it stops you having to deal with astromechs on ships which really shouldn't have them without making the refit a ship-unique title.

An upsilon with an astromech would be very nice, and special forces TIE could like it, too.

At the same time, BB-8 and R2-D2 shouldn't be available to the empire, and BB-9E shouldn't be available to the rebellion.

I'd suggest:

• Tech Upgrade
• Zero Cost
• Adds an [Astromech] slot to your upgrade bar
• You may only equip unique astromechs which are 'Imperial Only'

That way you get BB-9E and access to generic astromechs (like the R2/R5/R7 Astromech, for example, all of which would actually be really good on the Upsilon!)